Remembering Leon Russel
Date:
The world of music was rocked on Sunday when beloved American rock and roller Leon Russell passed away at the age of 74. In a prolific career spanning over 60 years, Russell leaves behind a legacy as powerful as his iconic image, having recorded over 400 songs and 33 albums. Reservoir has the privilege of representing many titles in his classic catalog and we are proud to continue to uphold and honor his incredibly legacy. We pay tribute to a few of his most celebrated cuts below:
“Superstar”
Russell co-wrote this song with Bonnie Bramlet in 1969. It was originally performed by Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and was dubbed “Groupie Song” during its production. The song went on to be performed by the likes of Joe Cocker, Bette Midler and most famously The Carpenters. The Carpenter’s version peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1971.
“Delta Lady”
Another Leon Russell great, Delta Lady was recorded and performed by Joe Cocker and was featured on his self-titled 1970 album Joe Cocker! Russell later joined Cocker alongside a full band on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and they performed the song together many times.
“This Masquerade”
The Masquerade, most notably performed by jazz icon George Benson, is another one of Russell’s enigmatic hits. Written in 1972, the song appears on Benson’s 1976 album Breezin’ and is a soulful jazz tune reminiscent of the Bossa Nova sound that was popular in the mid-60s. The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1977.